My Top 12 of 2014

It's that time of year!  I have been blogging for a little over a year now and I finally have enough nail art saved up that I was able to choose my top 12 favorite manis of 2014.  These were not necessarily my most popular but these are the manis that I personally like best.  I tried many new skills this year and I am very proud of how far I have come! I'm really excited to see where 2015 takes me and my hobby.  

Follow the jump to see close up pictures of my top 12!

Icy Textured Gradient

Hey guys!

Life is so busy right now.  We have several holiday parties this week, I'm preparing my class for their upcoming Christmas program at school, AND I've been buying/wrapping gifts for family, friends, and our Secret Santa polish exchange!  Somehow with all of this, my new small business, and a full time job I still find time to paint my nails.  Thank god I do because I love it too much to not have time for it!

I recently did these icy frozen-esque nails and wore them for several days.  They were super easy!

Follow the jump for a pictorial on how I created this look!

Essie Neons 2014 Collection (Review & Swatches)

This is a review of the Essie Neons 2014 collection.


I hardly ever, EVER buy an entire collection.  Actually I think this is the first time I have ever done so.  I normally don't love every polish in a collection enough to justify buying them all.  But when I saw the promo for these neons I was instantly in LOVE.

I did not own many neons prior to purchasing these so even though these colors may not be completely unique, they are unique to my collection.

Click Read More to see more pictures and read my reviews of these neons!

Music Monday Series

Hey guys!

So I'm starting a new series called Music Monday.  For the next few weeks, I'll be posting nail art that is related to my favorite band: Paramore.

I've been listening to Paramore for 7 years now and I seriously love their music.  Every album they put out has been a little bit different - I know some fans don't like when artists change their sound, but  I think their progression through the years just shows how they have matured as people and as musicians.   I'm so happy with their recent success, they totally deserve it with everything they have been through!

This week's nail art is from their very first album All We Know is Falling.

Click Read More to see more pictures and to find out how I achieved this look!

Loaded Lacquer Rubbernecker

I'm sure by now, you all have heard of Loaded Lacquer.  When I first heard of this Indie Polish line, Heather had just recently opened her shop and her following was fairly small, comparatively.   Her fan base has grown exponentially this year and now everyone is patiently waiting for her restock announcements!

While my collection is lacking in many indie collections, Loaded Lacquer is definitely my absolute favorite!  Heather creates some of the most unique polishes which are seriously "loaded" with glitter.  She also has her own line of jelly polishes, The Jiggles, which are perfect for layering with her awesome glitters.   If you need anymore convincing, go check out her website and look at all the gorgeous swatches!

This is one of those polishes that is good enough to be worn alone.  I also did a reverse glitter gradient accent nail for fun.

My February Favorites Round Up

I tried a lot of new types of nail art during the month of February.  I think my skills have improved a lot since I started this blog in November!  These are my 4 favorite manis from the month of February.  If I had to pick my most favorite, I think its the neon gradient. 

Which one is your favorite?

Neon Gradient with new Maybelline Street Art Glitter

I topped my neon gradient with the new Maybelline Street Art glitter in Blue Beats.  I LOVE the way it turned out! I wore these to a party last night and they definitely caught a few girls' attention.

Who else is ready for summer?! I know I am!


xoxo Danele

Neon Gradient Nails

Yay it's the weekend!  And I am wearing these super bright, super fun neon gradient nails.  They make me think of summer, heat waves, the beach, and palm trees.  You get the picture.

This was my first time trying a gradient with more than 2 colors.  The only other gradient I attempted was a French Manicure gradient, so it only involved light pink and white.  These didn't come out perfect but I like them!  I think I need to wait longer in between "coats." I'm also trying to decide if I should top these with a  fun glitter or leave them as is.  What do you think?!


I used China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy, Kiwi Cool-ada, and Sinful Colors Endless Blue to achieve this look.

Diffused Artificial Light - look how bright that is!

Diffused Artificial Light

A not so great picture in Natural Light

Have you ever attempted a sponged gradient?  What colors did you use?  I hope everyone is having an awesome weekend so far! 

xoxo Danele